OpenAI Blocks Iranian Group's ChatGPT Accounts for Targeting US Election

OpenAI said it had taken down accounts of an Iranian group for using its ChatGPT chatbot to generate content meant for influencing the US presidential election
OpenAI said it had taken down accounts of an Iranian group for using its ChatGPT chatbot to generate content meant for influencing the US presidential election
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OpenAI Blocks Iranian Group's ChatGPT Accounts for Targeting US Election

OpenAI said it had taken down accounts of an Iranian group for using its ChatGPT chatbot to generate content meant for influencing the US presidential election
OpenAI said it had taken down accounts of an Iranian group for using its ChatGPT chatbot to generate content meant for influencing the US presidential election

OpenAI said on Friday it had taken down accounts of an Iranian group for using its ChatGPT chatbot to generate content meant for influencing the US presidential election and other issues.
The operation, identified as Storm-2035, used ChatGPT to generate content focused on topics such as commentary on the candidates on both sides in the US elections, the conflict in Gaza and Israel's presence at the Olympic Games and then shared it via social media accounts and websites.
Investigation by the Microsoft-backed AI company showed that ChatGPT was used for generating long-form articles and shorter social media comments.
According to Reuters, OpenAI said the operation did not appear to have achieved meaningful audience engagement.
Majority of the identified social media posts received few or no likes, shares or comments and the company did not see indications of web articles being shared across social media.
The accounts have been banned from using OpenAI's services and the company continues to monitor activities for any further attempts to violate policies, it said.
Earlier in August, a Microsoft threat-intelligence report said Iranian network Storm-2035, comprising four websites masquerading as news outlets, is actively engaging US voter groups on opposing ends of the political spectrum.
Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican rival Donald Trump are locked in a tight race, ahead of the Nov. 5 presidential election.
The AI firm said in May it had disrupted five covert influence operations that sought to use its models for "deceptive activity" across the internet.



Russian Plane Crashes in Russia's Far East, Nearly 50 People on Board Feared Dead

FILE PHOTO: An An-24 aircraft of Angara Airlines lands at the airport of Irkutsk, Russia April 13, 2014. REUTERS/Marina Lystseva/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An An-24 aircraft of Angara Airlines lands at the airport of Irkutsk, Russia April 13, 2014. REUTERS/Marina Lystseva/File Photo
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Russian Plane Crashes in Russia's Far East, Nearly 50 People on Board Feared Dead

FILE PHOTO: An An-24 aircraft of Angara Airlines lands at the airport of Irkutsk, Russia April 13, 2014. REUTERS/Marina Lystseva/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An An-24 aircraft of Angara Airlines lands at the airport of Irkutsk, Russia April 13, 2014. REUTERS/Marina Lystseva/File Photo

An Antonov An-24 passenger plane carrying about 50 people crashed in Russia's far east on Thursday and initial information suggested that everyone on board was killed, Russian emergency services officials said.
The burning fuselage of the plane, which was from the Soviet era and was nearly 50 years old, was spotted on the ground by a helicopter and rescue crews were rushing to the scene.
Unverified video, shot from a helicopter and posted on social media, appeared to show that the plane had come down in a densely forested area.
The plane, whose tail number showed it was built in 1976, was operated by a Siberia-based airline called Angara.
It was en route from the city of Blagoveshchensk to Tynda and dropped off radar screens while approaching Tynda, a remote town in the Amur region bordering China.
There were 43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members on board according to preliminary data, Vasily Orlov, the regional governor said.
The emergencies ministry put the number of people on board somewhat lower, at around 40.
Debris from the plane was found on a hill around 15 km (10 miles) from Tynda, the Interfax news agency quoted emergency service officials as saying.
"During the search operation, a Mi-8 helicopter belonging to Rossaviatsiya discovered the fuselage of the aircraft, which was on fire," Yuliya Petina, an emergency services official, wrote on Telegram.
"Rescuers continue to make their way to the scene of the accident".
Authorities announced an investigation into the crash.